Chesnut-headed Oropendula

[Bryan Hix]

This is about 95% full frame. These birds would either stay far away or suddenly fly right next to me, so they kept me on my toes. You can see the dried nectar on its feathers from drinking out of the balsa tree flowers. I didn't use a flash because I kept really blowing out the bills, so I tried it without and am satified with this eventhough I wish the darks had a little more detail. It's a similar situation with coots with the white bill and dark body. Does this comp work? Any other suggestions, much welcomed. It seems a little tight to me, but I can't give it anymore room.:confused:

Canon 1D Mk3
600mm f/4 with 1.4TC
ISO 1000, 1/200th @f/8
Av Mode, -2/3
LR2, selective exp adj, crop, sharpening

[Nate Chappell]

The comp works fine for me Bryan, it's nice and sharp where it counts:cool:

[Scott Frye]

I like the blue circle around the eye and the background looks good. Composition works for me but I suggest you darken the perch a bit. My first look at this colorful bird -- thaniks for sharing

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Love the blue eye and the clean BG. I find the crop a bit tight for my standards but that is just a personal note. I wish the perch would be slimmer and would tone down the clear parts a tad.

[Steve Canuel]

Nice looking bird. The comp looks ok to me.

[Kiran Poonacha]

Great looking bird, nicwe pose, colours and BG..

[Doug Brown]

Compo works fine although I wouldn't mind a little more breathing room around the bird. I've never managed a good shot of one of these birds. Your exposure compromise looks good. Gotta love that blue eye!

[Jim Crosswell]

The composition works for me. I like the sharpness in the eye as well.

[Doug Rodda]

Tried for these while in Costa Rica 2 years ago-you certainly nailed it. BG is especially good, we only got close while they were at feeding stations in mottled light.

[Bryan Hix]

Tried for these while in Costa Rica 2 years ago-you certainly nailed it. BG is especially good, we only got close while they were at feeding stations in mottled light.

I wouldn't have gotten this if I wasn't pretty high up in the canopy in a tower. They were always moving and feeding on nectar from various flowers from the top of trees. From the ground it would have been near impossible to get a clean view. Thanks for the critique! :)

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Beautiful species and very good job with exposure. It does look quite challenging. Crop works for me. loved the shallow DOF.